Container

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to containers, and more specifically, to plastic containers. The containers described herein may be applied to any use, but they are particularly useful for storing paint.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/278,788, filed Apr. 5, 2006, which is a continuation under 37 C.F.R.1.53(b) of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/547,249 filed Apr. 11,2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,032,756, issued Apr. 25, 2006, whichapplications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to containers, and more specifically, toplastic containers. The containers described herein may be applied toany use, but they are particularly useful for storing paint, varnish,stain and the like. The containers of the invention will be described inconnection with the use of storing paint with the understanding that thecontainer has other usages, such as storing food or other contents.

Paint is conventionally stored and sold in metal cans which have anupper edge with a groove in which an annular edge of a metal cover issecured by a press fit. The cover is typically removed by prying an edgeof the cover upwardly out of engagement with the can edge so that thestored paint can be used. The cover is usually pried upwardly with ascrewdriver or other pointed device. The cover can be resecured onto thecan by press fit, typically by striking the lid with a solid object,such as a hammer. Because the paint frequently fills the groove of thecan, striking the lid with a hammer oftentimes causes the paint to sprayoutwards. Further, any paint that remains in the groove prevents a tightsecuring of the cover.

Paint has generally been stored in round metal containers because thedensity and weight of paint has been too great for polymeric-basedcontainers to contain and because of a reactivity of the paint withpolymeric containers. Round-shaped cans have been used to store paintbecause it has been difficult to fabricate metal containers withsymmetries that are not round.

Notwithstanding the widespread use of round metal cans as containers forpaint, the use of those cans has been expensive and wasteful withrespect to storage and transport. For example, round metal cans cannotbe positioned efficiently. Further, round metal cans add significantweight to the paint product. Round metal cans are typically difficult toopen and close, and round metal cans are difficult to carry. Round metalcans are also easily be dented. Moreover, problems are associated withreclosing the round metal can after use since paint has most likelyfilled the channel groove portion of the can which receives the standardlid, resulting in spray, spillage and disrupted resealing.

Efforts have been made to utilize paint containers manufactured frommaterials other than paint. For example, plastic paint containers arereported in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,938,686; 4,453,647; 4,530,442; 4,548,332;4,619,373; 4,655,363; 5,303,839; and 5,975,346. However, a need stillexists for a paint container that can be easily and efficientlytransported, stored, positioned, opened, closed and carried by hand. Insecuring the cover in position, it is important that the cover is bothsecurely attached and readily removed when desired. Further, thecontainer should be designed not only to store the paint, but also toprevent undesired escape of the paint, to prevent the ingress of dust,moisture or other materials into the container, to allow opening withoutspecial tools and to allow tight resealing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the present invention includes a polymeric container.The polymeric container comprises a main body. The main body includes aneck portion, a bottom portion and a handle portion. The bottom portiondefines a lug. One other embodiment further includes a lid positionableover the neck. The lid defines indentations capable of receiving lugsfrom another polymeric container. In another embodiment, the main bodydefines an indentation capable of receiving one or more lugs.

Another embodiment includes a method for stacking containers. The methodcomprises providing a first container comprising a main body with abottom portion. The bottom portion defines one or more lugs. A secondcontainer is also provided. The second container comprises a main bodythat defines an indentation and a bottom portion. The bottom portiondefines one or more lugs. The first container is stacked on the secondcontainer so that the lug of the first container is seated within theindentation of the second container.

One other embodiment of the present invention includes a method forstacking containers. The method comprises providing a first containerwith a main body that includes a bottom portion. The bottom portiondefines one or more lugs. The method also comprises providing a secondcontainer and a lid positioned on the container. The lid defines anindentation. The first container is stacked on the second container sothat the lug of the first container is seated within the indentation onthe lid.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the container of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a plurality of the containers positionedfor transport or storage.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of one embodiment of the container of thepresent invention.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of one embodiment of the container with anindentation for lug receipt in a lid applied to the container.

FIG. 5 a is a top plan view of another embodiment of the bottom portionof the container of the present invention with an annular lug in a mainbody of the container.

FIG. 5 b is a top plan view of one other embodiment of the bottomportion of the container of the present invention with a plurality ofdiscrete lugs in the main body of the container.

FIG. 5 c is a top plan view of another embodiment of the bottom portionof the container of the present invention with a single centrallypositioned lug.

FIG. 6 a is a tp plan view of a top portion of one embodiment of thecontainer of the present invention wherein the main body defines anannular indentation.

FIG. 6 b is a top plan view of a top portion of one embodiment of thecontainer of the present invention wherein the main body defines aplurality of discrete indentations.

FIG. 6 c is a top plan view of one embodiment of a container and lid ofthe present invention wherein an indentation is defined by the lid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One embodiment of the container of the present invention, illustratedgenerally at 10 in FIG. 1, includes a main body 12 with a generallyparallelpiped shape and a lid 14 attachable to the main body 12 at aneck 24. The main body 12 comprises the neck 24, a handle 16, and abottom portion 18 with an annular lug 20 and a central indentation 22.Although the container depicted represents a paint volume content ofapproximately one gallon, the container is readily manufactured indifferent sizes. The container of the present invention is not limitedto any one volume or dimension.

The container of the present invention includes a number of featuresthat render the container more easily and efficiently stored andtransported than conventional containers, such as round metal paintcontainers. One of these features is the symmetry of the main body. Themain body of the container of the present invention is a parallelpipedthat permits the container to be transported with a minimum of freespace. Straight sidewalls of adjacent containers are alignable with eachother, as is shown at 3 in FIG. 2. The container of the presentinvention also includes a number of features that render the containermore easily and efficiently opened and closed than conventionalcontainers.

The container of the present invention 10 includes a unitary handle 16that forms indentations for fingers 26 that enable a user to more easilycarry the container 10. One embodiment of the container 10 includes anannular lug 20 that permits more stable stacking of the container 10. Inparticular, the lug 20 is insertable in an annular groove 28 definedwithin one embodiment of the lid 14.

The shape of the lug 20 can be varied for other container embodiments.For example, the lug may be a continuous annular lug, such as is shownat 20 in FIG. 5 a or may be a discrete lug such as is shown at 50 inFIG. 5 b. The lug may also be a single lug 52 positioned in a centralregion of the bottom of the container, as shown in FIG. 5 c. Althoughfour lugs are shown, in FIG. 5 b, it is understood that more or fewerlugs are suitable for use. The lugs 20, 50, and 52 have shapes rangingfrom rectangular to ovoid.

The shape of the groove 28 defined is of a shape that permits thestacking of the containers and that permits receipt of the lug 20. Thisshape is an annular shape for receipt of annular lug 20 as shown at 60in FIG. 6 a. The groove 60 is defined by the container main body. Theshape of the groove or indentation is discrete, as shown at 62 in FIG. 6b, for receipt of discrete lugs 50. The discrete indentations 62 arealso positioned within the main body of the container. In one otherembodiment shown in FIG. 6 c, the indentation 64 is in a lid 62. Theindentation receives the lug 52.

The unitary handle 16 also creates a modular shape for the container 10that renders the container more efficient to store. The handle 16 may behollow or solid. The handle 16 is, for some embodiments, integral withthe main body.

One lid embodiment is illustrated generally at 14 in FIG. 3. The lid 14comprises two turning mechanisms, a central mechanism 32 andindentations 34. The central mechanism comprises a unitary band 36 thatallows the lid 14 to be moved in clockwise and a counter clockwisedirections. The band 36 has an elevation that permits fingers of a userto be placed below the band 36 to turn the lid 14. The band formsindentations 40 for fingers that enable the user to more easily carry,open and close the container. The indentations 34 are positioned andsized to enable a user to grasp the lid 14 and to turn the lid 14clockwise and counter clockwise. The lid 14 of the present invention isconfigured to enable individuals with “stiff” fingers to use and to turnwith relative ease. The lid 14 is sealed to the container 12 by ano-ring 38. The lid 14 defines threading 42, and the neck 24 definesthreading 44, so that the threadings 42 and 44 are capable ofinteracting to attach the lid 14 to the main body 12.

The container of the present invention is fabricated from a polymericmaterial such as polypropylene with methods well known to the artworker. The handle is for some embodiments filled and for otherembodiments hollow.

For some embodiments, the container is lined with a material such as aheat sealable thermoplastic or laminate which acts to contain a materialsuch as paint and, along with the o-ring seal, to prevent air oxidation.Suitable liner materials include polyester, polyvinylidene chloride,polyethylene and the like. Other suitable liner materials includecellulosics, polycarbonates, polypropylene, polyester or metallizedplastic sheet material. One liner material is a plastic laminate thatincludes nylon, polyvinylidene chloride, polyethylene and a 0.003 to0.001 inch aluminum foil. The aluminum foil is sandwiched between layersof the plastic material.

In one embodiment, an aluminum foil barrier is laminated to an outerpolymeric shell by a thermosealing polycoat. The polycoat thermallybonds the foil to the polymeric material. One polycoat comprises apolyethylene extrusion that is coated to the polymeric shell.

The container of the present invention is usable for storing andtransporting a material such as paint. The shape of the containerpermits space-efficient transport. The shape of the container as well asthe ergonomic features of the lid and handle render the container easyand safe for an individual to carry.

While preferred embodiments of the invention are described herein, thosefamiliar with the art to which this invention relates will recognizevarious alternative designs and embodiments for practicing the presentinvention that do not depart from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention. All such modifications and variations are intended to beincluded within the scope of the invention, as defined by the followingclaims.

1. A method comprising: molding a first container, wherein the firstcontainer comprises a unitary main body with a threaded neck portion anda sidewall, the unitary main body also comprising a handle portionhaving opposite ends each of which extend from the main body, the handleportion comprising a molded handle wherein the molded handle and themain body define an opening for receiving fingers of a human hand, thehandle portion extending along the side of the unitary main body whereinthe handle portion and the unitary main body define a square orrectangular perimeter of the first container; the unitary main bodyfurther comprising a bottom portion with a recess defined centrally inthe bottom portion, the recess defined by a vertical offset free of aninterlocking extension and a horizontal surface extending inwardly fromthe vertical offset, and a lid, the lid attachable to the threaded neckportion of the unitary main body, wherein the threaded neck portion isdisposed centrally with respect to the main body; the bottom portionrecess of the first container is adapted to align the first containerwith a lid of another container; the lid of the first containerincluding a planar top surface adapted to support a second containerstacked thereon, and a skirt extending from the perimeter of the planartop surface, the skirt having an outer surface which is free ofinterlocking extensions; molding a second container, wherein the secondcontainer comprises a unitary main body with a threaded neck portion anda sidewall, the unitary main body also comprising a handle portionhaving opposite ends each of which extend from the main body, the handleportion comprising a molded handle wherein the molded handle and themain body define an opening for receiving fingers of a human hand, thehandle portion extending along the side of the unitary main body whereinthe handle portion and the unitary main body define a square orrectangular perimeter for the second container; the unitary main body ofthe second container further comprising a bottom portion with a recessdefined centrally in the bottom portion, and a lid, the lid attachableto the threaded neck portion of the unitary main body, wherein thethreaded neck portion is disposed centrally with respect to the mainbody; the recess of the second container is defined by a vertical offsetadapted to align the second container with the lid of the firstcontainer, and a horizontal surface extending inwardly from the verticaloffset, the vertical offset of the second container being free ofinterlocking extensions; the lid of the second container including a topsurface adapted to support another container stacked thereon; andfurther wherein the first and second containers are constructed so thatthe horizontal surface of the second container comprises a substantialarea of the bottom portion of the second container and wherein when thesecond container is filled with paint and stacked on the first containerthe horizontal surface of the bottom portion of the second containerfaces the planar top surface of the lid of the first container and sothat the second container rests on the lid of the first container andthe lid of the first container supports substantially all of the weightof the second container in stable stacked arrangement, and furtherwherein the horizontal surface of the bottom portion of the secondcontainer is parallel to and proximate to the planar top surface of thelid of the first container.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprisingstacking the second container on the top surface of the first containerso that the recess of the bottom portion of the second containerreceives the top surface of the lid of the first container.
 3. Themethod of claim 2, further comprising filling the second container withpaint.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the lid of the first containeris fabricated with a centrally positioned groove on the top surfacethereof.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the recess of the bottom ofthe second container is fabricated with a centrally positioned lugreceivable by the groove on the top surface of the lid of the firstcontainer.
 6. The method of claim 5, further comprising stacking thesecond container on the top surface of the first container so that thecentrally positioned lug of the second container is received by thegroove on the top surface of the lid of the first container.
 7. Themethod of claim 6, further comprising filling the second container withpaint.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the lid of the first containeris fabricated with more than one symmetrically positioned discretegrooves on the top surface thereof.
 9. The method of claim 8, whereinthe recess of the bottom of the second container is fabricated with morethan one symmetrically positioned lugs receivable by the more than onesymmetrically positioned discrete grooves on the top surface of the lidof the first container.
 10. The method of claim 9, further comprisingstacking the second container on the top surface of the first containerso that the more than one symmetrically positioned lugs of the secondcontainer are received by the more than one symmetrically positioneddiscrete grooves on the top surface of the lid of the first container.11. The method of claim 10, further comprising filling the secondcontainer with paint.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the handles ofthe first and second containers are fabricated to be hollow.
 13. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the handles of the first and secondcontainers are fabricated to be plastic-filled.
 14. The method of claim1, wherein the main bodies of the first and second containers arefabricated with polymer.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the polymeris polypropylene.
 16. The method of claim 1, wherein the first andsecond containers are fabricated to be lined with a liner.
 17. Themethod of claim 16, wherein the material of the liner includes one ofpolyester, polyvinylidene chloride, and polyethylene.
 18. The method ofclaim 16, wherein the material of the liner includes one of cellulosic,polycarbonate, polypropylene, polyester and metallized plastic sheetmaterial.
 19. The method of claim 1, wherein the lids of the first andsecond containers are fabricated with indentations on the skirts thereoffor twisting off the lids.
 20. The method of claim 1, wherein the lidsof the first and second containers are fabricated with a unitary bandthereon.